Opinion

DSP Barau and the Security of the Land-Abba Anwar

Published

11 months ago

November 29, 2025

By Abba Anwar

Without any fear of contradiction or mincing words, His Excellency, Deputy Senate President, Barau I Jibrin, CFR, is one of the very few politicians from the North, who genuinely understands that securing the land is a collective responsibility.

Not only that, his utterances, actions and interventions speak volume in that respect. Even before his election as a Senator to the period he became, the Deputy Senate President, this gentleman has always been a peaceful fellow, who believes in the promotion of peace and whose peaceful posture always takes him to upper levels.

Let me not take my reader to the early period of Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, when Barau was member House of Representatives, from Tarauni federal constituency, what he did as a member then, in the promotion of peace and tranquility in the state, after the pains from military rule experience.

As a Senator also from Kano North, he contributed a lot in securing his primary constituency from infiltration of underworlds. For the overall security of the state and the country in general. To know more about his efforts then, I urge my readers to first of all, identify the leadership of the security architecture then, from Kano North Senatorial District and the state as a whole, to know what exactly he did in that respect.

I can’t provide my readers with all his interventions in the security circle, as a Senator. Security operations, efforts and interventions are normally confidential. I am yet to see an individual politician in Kano and the surrounding states, whose interest and interventions are much visible around our security system and architecture. Please mark my words, I am not saying there is nobody like him in Kano and other states, but I am yet to see one.

When he became the Deputy Senate President he strengthened his concern and the chain of his interventions within the security circle across the state, Northern Nigeria and the country as a whole.
And it was not his first time for aiding security agencies to maximize their operations effectively and efficiently.

Just few months back the DSP donated one thousand (1,000) motorcycles to Kano State Police Command for distribution across 76 Police Divisions in the state. Out of which, 700 motorcycles were distributed to his Constituency, Kano North and the remaining 300 were distributed to other Police Divisions from Kano Central and Kano South.

On top of that, earlier, 22 operational vehicles were donated by the Senator to the State Police Command. As he also sponsored the renovation of the State Police Headquarters, Bompai. He spent over One Billion Naira (N1b). This says a lot in the type of a leader this gentleman is. A quintessential mentor. It also says a lot in his love for peaceful Kano and peaceful Nigeria.

Not to talk of other interventions to other security agencies from the Senator. When I say other security agencies, I mean all other security agencies in the state. This is not something new, as far as DSP’s interventions in our security system is concerned.

It makes me feel, are we really in human kingdom, when I heard some saying DSP Barau has been ruining the security situation in the state, Kano. I can’t even understand what such people are trying to say. What are they really posing as their suggestive declaration of true situation. It appears confusing and misleading from their part.

In the recent all-important meeting of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) that was held in Kaduna, Distinguished Senator Barau urged for concrete actions against insecurity plaguing the North. His speech, at the meeting became the reference point to all other speakers at the occasion. People saw patriotism, seriousness, commitment, result – oriented engagement and straightforwardness from the Senator.

He disclosed, at that meeting, that at their level of our leaders, from his office, the Office of the Speaker House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, Northern Governors and other stakeholders, they are putting heads together to save the region from lingering insecurity. Is this not encouraging and appreciative? They want to see how North could be emancipated from the shackles of insecurity rocking the region. As security system demands, many efforts are done covertly. So only Almighty Allah Knows what and what arrangements the DSP is making alongside other Northern leaders in strengthening and reshaping our security architecture.

Not only in the security space and geography, Senator Barau, has for long, been, a genuine peaceful politician, whose patience, is seen by many of his people, as being to a fault. What is important and courageously embracing is his widespread humility and tranquility of mind. Ask his political contemporaries, you will believe with me that, DSP is increasingly peaceful, accommodating and down-to-earth.

What calls my attention on Senator’s attachment with security circle, is the recent blame on him by the Kano state government, through Honourable Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, that the Senator has been making statements capable of deteriorating the fragile security of the state, Kano.

To me, Commissioner Waiya did mention Senator’s name by slip of tongue. This is the first time I heard responsible institution blaming DSP of reckless statements that can further increase the wound created by insecurity in the land. When it comes to promotion of security, Senator Barau has no match.

I also saw a press release issued today by the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, challenging Kano state government to produce one clip or one evidence, that can attest to the authenticity of their claim on the Deputy Senate President.

The way I see it, is how I put it above, that Comrade Waiya mentioned the name of Senator Barau, by slip of tongue. Hence Kano state government CANNOT yes CANNOT produce such evidence. This is very clear. I have no doubt about this.

When the press release from DSP’s office, urged Kano state government that, “Don’t play politics with insecurity; focus on solving Kano’s problems,” it also challenges that, “We challenge them to produce the clip in which the Deputy President of the Senate made any statement that could undermine security efforts.”

Before posing the challenge, the statement argued that, “It is unfortunate that the state government has relegated governance to this low by concocting and fabricating lies to tarnish the growing reputation of the Deputy President of the Senate. There was no time when Senator Barau uttered any statement capable of undermining security efforts; instead, he has been at the forefront, collaborating with all stakeholders to address the insecurity challenges in parts of Kano and other areas in the country.”

Senator Barau advises Kano state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in the press release that, “The Deputy President of the Senate, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, urged the Kano State Governor to wake up from slumber and take charge of the affairs of the state to return Kano to the path of prosperity.”

But few hours a go, I saw a rebuttal of DSP’s press release from his Media Aide, the rebuttal was authored by one Comrade Abdullahi Hafiz, I hope a real name, not pen name (laughter), titled “Re: Governor Abba Don’t Play Politics With Insecurity : Replying Senator Barau.”

In it, the author, Mr Hafiz challenged DSP’s Media Aide over some infrastructures located at Kano North Senatorial District. I tried to quote some places in the rebuttal, but unfortunately none of the paragraphs looks sensible enough and informed, looking at the context of all the arguments. So all parts of the rebuttal are not quotable, if sensible and informed argument is what is at stake.

While DSP’s Media Aide, challenged Kano state government to produce a clip, even single clip, where Senator Barau makes statement capable of heightenning the tension of insecurity in the state, the rebuttal guy was busy enlisting infrastructures. From the first to the last paragraph, nowhere Mr Hafiz provides an evidence of a statement, where Senator Barau encourages insecurity in the land. The main reason of Comrade Waiya’s blame against DSP.

The way I see it is, Mr Hafiz’s rebuttal is another play of politics with genuine and sensible arguments. While the original argument is, statement credited to DSP through Comrade Waiya’s press conference, when he blames the Senator for fueling insecurity through some unwanted statements. And DSP’s Media Aide, challenged Waiya to produce a clip authenticating that argument.

But Hafiz, I hope real name, comes with his rebuttal linking all the arguments with other factors, that are not originally within the purview of the discussion. In the argument, no one, either Waiya or Mudashir links the insecurity discussion with infrastructural process and development.

I still maintain my argument, Comrade Waiya only mentioned DSP Barau’s name by slip of tongue. That is why I shouldn’t pose any challenge to him. So I also advice Mudasshir to stop waiting for any evidence from Waiya and Kano state government, by extension. Because what he needs is not forthcoming. It cannot come around no matter how long he waits for it.

I rest my case.

Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 29th November, 2025

Opinion

Kano’s War On Drugs: How Barr. Muhyi’s Taskforce Is Changing The Game

Published

3 days ago

November 2, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Muhammad Abubakar Suleiman

When Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf declared a public health emergency on drug abuse on July 22, 2026, and inaugurated the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, many in Kano saw it as another committee. Three months later, the committee led by Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado is dominating security headlines in the state.

The Taskforce was constituted as a multi-agency platform bringing together NDLEA, Police, DSS, Consumer Protection Council, Pharmaceutical Society, Ministry of Health, Anti-Daba Unit and other stakeholders. Dr. Ibrahim Garba Muhammad serves as Secretary.

From Raids to Results: Over 400 Arrests

According to briefings by the Chairman, within the first two months the Taskforce arrested more than 380 suspects and secured over 230 convictions. By September 29, when Barr. Muhyi spoke at the Kano Network of NGOs (KANET) Monthly Lecture at Nasarawa GRA, the figure had risen to over 400 arrests.

Presenting its scorecard to the State Executive Council in late September, the Taskforce reported a 35% reduction in drug-related crimes in the last three months, attributing it to intensified enforcement, seizures and over 500 convictions as of October 22.

Operations have focused on identified hotspots: Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo, Tashar Rimi, Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama and Kukar Bulukiya.

Recoveries include Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol, Diazepam, Pentazocine, Pregabalin, Exol-5 and a Methamphetamine-based designer drug. In one case, 870,000 capsules of Pregabalin were seized from a pharmaceutical company over suspected diversion. Local weapons – knives, daggers, cutlasses and clubs – used by gangs were also recovered.

The Taskforce also recorded high-profile arrests. On August 18, it announced the arrest of a former Chairman of Rogo Local Government for allegedly selling and administering fentanyl injections to youths, after a victim who spent over N2 million on injections identified him.

Latest: Gang Sponsor Tracked to Port Harcourt

In its most recent operation, the Taskforce announced on October 30 the arrest of a 27-year-old suspected gang violence sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, from Yalwa in Dala LGA.

According to the committee, Malam Keya was allegedly financing violent clashes by rival Daba gangs in Dala that claimed lives. He fled to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after crackdown intensified, but was tracked and arrested in an operation led by Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe, and brought back to Kano. He is now in police custody pending prosecution.

Chairman Muhyi said the arrest outside Kano shows the Taskforce will pursue suspects beyond state boundaries.

Beyond Enforcement: Children, Rehabilitation and Technology

The committee says its mandate is not just enforcement. It reported rescuing 43 underage children allegedly exposed to intoxicants and convicting two dealers – Kabiru Isa and Usman Hamisu – for the offence. About 125 persons were referred to the Kano Reformatory Institute in Kiru for rehabilitation. With Kiru overstretched, government has provided an additional facility in Tofa.

The Taskforce has set an ambitious target of taking 10,000 youths off the streets for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration.

On August 21, Barr. Muhyi inaugurated nine sub-committees to professionalize the fight: Finance; Media and Publicity; Advocacy and Sensitisation; Licences, Inventory and Verification; Compliance, Inspection and Electronic Tracking; Monitoring and Implementation; Intelligence; Reformative and Traditional Council; and Anti-Drug Coordination.

Tech Turn: AI, 24-Hour Line and NDLEA Support

In the last two weeks, the Taskforce unveiled a new approach. On October 22, Barr. Muhyi, on behalf of Governor Yusuf, donated operational equipment to the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command led by Commander Dahiru Yahaya Lawan, to boost operations.

He also disclosed that Kano is deploying Artificial Intelligence for surveillance and tracking of suspected dealers, and equipping a rapid-response centre with ICT and a 24-hour toll-free line where residents can report and get response within 30 minutes.

At KANET lecture themed “Kano Drugs Crisis: Challenges, the Way Forward and the Role of the Community,” Muhyi stressed community intelligence and called for more rehabilitation to decongest remand homes.

No Sacred Cows

From day one, Barr. Muhyi has maintained a hard line on political interference. “No politician can pressure me to free drug suspects. The only person who can stop me is the Governor, and I know he will never interfere,” he told journalists on July 28.

That stance, coupled with intelligence-led raids, has earned the Taskforce both praise and scrutiny.

The Bigger Picture

Kano Police data cited by the Taskforce indicates about 70% of major crimes in 2025 were linked to drug abuse. The Executive Order outlawing Daba gangs provides a minimum of five years imprisonment under Section 97A of the Kano Penal Code.

Whether the Taskforce can sustain momentum will depend on three tests: securing the drug supply chain from pharmaceutical diversion, expanding rehabilitation beyond Kiru, and maintaining inter-agency cooperation without becoming a parallel enforcement body.

For now, in the markets of Filin Idi and the streets of Dala, residents say the presence of the committee is being felt.

Opinion

The Reward For Hardwork Is More Work: A Rejoinder To Dr Garba Ubale Danbatta

Published

3 days ago

November 2, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Nworisa Michael

The redeployment of Hon. Comr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya PhD from the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has attracted several reactions. While professional and civic organisations have congratulated him and acknowledged his contributions, Dr Garba Ubale Danbatta, a supposedly veteran journalist, has chosen to use the development to question his performance and professional conduct in his former ministry.

Dr Danbatta is entitled to his opinion. Nobody should be above criticism, especially in public office. However, when criticism is presented as a professional assessment, it should be supported by facts, not merely personal convictions or years of experience.

Before concluding that journalism suffered under Waiya, perhaps we should examine some of the developments recorded during his tenure.

Eight contributions worth considering:

• Grassroots information: Strengthened engagement with Information Officers across Kano’s 44 local government areas and eight zonal offices.

• Capacity building: Supported training programmes for local government Information Officers, alongside interactive engagements with editors and news managers.

• Media policy: Facilitated the inauguration of an 18-member committee to develop a media and information policy framework for Kano State.

• Digital transformation: Established a Digital Multimedia Department to modernise government communication, improve digital engagement and address misinformation.

• Peacebuilding: Advanced the Safe Corridor Project, an initiative focused on rehabilitation, skills development and reintegration of reformed youths.

• Media engagement: Engaged media practitioners, online publishers and political programme presenters on responsible public communication and professional conduct.

• Institutional development: Pursued interventions aimed at strengthening state-owned media institutions and improving the capacity of personnel within the information machinery.

• National recognition: Received the Crisis Communicator of the Year award at the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards in Abuja.

These developments do not mean that Waiya’s tenure was without shortcomings. They simply demonstrate that there is more to his record than the sweeping conclusion offered by his critic.

There is also something interesting about the public reactions to his redeployment. The Kano State Forum of Information Officers, Northern Youths Assembly and International Peace and Secure Society are among the organisations that have publicly acknowledged his contributions and congratulated him on his new assignment. Their statements may not settle every debate about his tenure, but they show that his work was not viewed negatively by everyone who interacted with his ministry.

Now, to Dr Danbatta’s presentation of his professional experience.

I found it rather curious that a commentary intended to assess another public officer’s performance devoted three of its concluding paragraphs to the author’s own professional journey, positions held and years of experience. One could almost finish reading the piece knowing more about the author’s resume than the evidence behind his criticism of Waiya.

Same individual who has been unable to ensure good working relationship with his staffs at Pyramid Radio Kano where is currently serves as its manager, a station that constantly runs out of diesel and goes off the air, perhaps even he isn’t proud of this hence he left it out from the list of his workplaces listed.

With due respect, professional experience is valuable, but it should strengthen an argument, not become the argument itself. A good product sells itself. A journalist’s professional standing should be reflected in the quality, fairness and depth of their analysis. Thirty years in the profession deserves recognition, but it does not automatically make every opinion conclusive.

If the intention was to assess Waiya’s stewardship, then the more important questions should have been: What did he inherit? What did he change? Which initiatives did he introduce? What measurable outcomes were achieved? And where did he fall short? Those are the questions that give criticism substance.

We can be safe to say that Waiya’s redeployment was a direct reward for his performance in the former ministry. The Governor has publicly explained the cabinet adjustments as part of efforts to strengthen institutions and improve service delivery. What is evident, however, is that Waiya has been entrusted with another important responsibility, and his record in the former ministry remains open to public examination.

The Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs is not beyond criticism, and neither is Dr. Waiya. But fairness requires that we acknowledge the work done alongside the shortcomings alleged.

Frankly the most fitting way to understand this new assignment is captured in the title of this piece: the reward for hard work is more work. His previous assignment is now part of his public record; his new ministry presents another opportunity to serve.

Congratulations, Hon. Comr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya. The expectations continue.

Nworisa Michael is a
Writer, Public Affairs Commentator and writes from nworisamichael1917@gmail.com
1st Nov. 2026

Opinion

My Achievements At Kano State Ministry of Environment — By Dr. Dahir M. Hashim

Published

5 days ago

October 31, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

Looking back on my time at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, one change I value most is how the public came to see the sector itself. Environmental protection became a stronger part of conversations about our health, neighbourhoods, livelihoods, and Kano’s future. People increasingly joined the work, supported our programmes, and held us accountable.

For that, I thank the people of my dear state.

This journey began for me on 6 January 2025, when His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the Ministry.

The challenges were clear. Facilities had deteriorated, policies needed updating, enforcement was weak, and frontline workers were owed outstanding payments. Yet His Excellency saw what the Ministry could become and gave us the support to begin rebuilding it.

Our government-owned nurseries tell part of that story. Eight facilities that had become non-functional were fully rehabilitated, restoring our capacity to produce seedlings locally. Building on the administration’s three-million-tree planting programme in 2024, the programme grew to five million in 2025 and ten million in 2026, with all seedlings raised in government-owned nurseries. Behind those numbers was the recovery of public facilities that could continue serving Kano for years to come.

The same determination guided the restoration of the Kano State Pollution Control Laboratory. We renovated, equipped, and recommissioned it, giving the State the scientific capacity to test, monitor pollution, and support enforcement. We operationalised the Environmental Pollution Control Law and developed the Environmental Pollution and Waste Control Regulations to give that work a stronger legal foundation.

At REMASAB, reforms improved the coordination of waste collection, evacuation, and disposal. Waste management became more organised and responsive, with operations supporting the evacuation of approximately one million metric tonnes of waste. The Dorayi Compost Plant was also brought back into operation, restoring the capacity to turn organic waste into useful compost and creating opportunities for investment.

Across flood-prone communities, we undertook drainage construction, clearance and erosion control. The stormwater harvesting intervention in Toranke and work on the Kano State Drainage Master Plan formed part of our effort to move towards better protection and long-term planning.

We also restored four public parks, with more underway. Spaces that had suffered neglect were given new management arrangements and a clear responsibility for maintenance. Families now have more welcoming places to spend time together, while the parks’ combined annual revenue increased from around ₦5 million to ₦90 million.

Alongside these projects, we rebuilt the policy foundations of the sector. We developed the Kano State Climate Change Policy, its implementation plan and results framework; advanced the Climate Change Bill; and reviewed the Forestry Law after more than five decades. We also developed the Climate Finance Reform Action and Implementation Plan and the Green Bond Framework to prepare Kano for environmental and climate investment.

Kano’s third-place finish in the just-concluded 2026 Climate Governance Performance Ranking, and the opportunity to present our work at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, gave us reasons to be thankful. They also reminded us how far consistent support and collective effort could take the state.

None of this work could have continued without the people delivering it every day. With His Excellency’s backing, we cleared nine months of salary arrears for 2,369 verified street sweepers and doubled their stipends, re-engaged inspectors and forest guards, and doubled the stipends of 875 sanitation vanguards. I remain grateful for their service.

Today, as His Excellency separates the ministries and appoints a new Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, my strongest feeling is gratitude.

To His Excellency, thank you for trusting me with this responsibility, listening to our proposals and supporting the decisions needed to carry them through.

To our staff and agencies, community leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, young volunteers, businesses and residents: thank you for standing with us. Your participation, patience and constructive criticism helped us improve. These achievements belong to everyone who contributed.

I congratulate the incoming Honourable Commissioner and offer my full cooperation to sustain the work we began together.

Serving the people of Kano State in this capacity has been a privilege. Thank you for the trust and support.

Dr. Dahir M. Hashim, Honourable Commissioner
Ministry of Water Resources, Kano State, writes from Kano.